Friday, January 11, 2008

Though this has never been the forum that reports “breaking news” or items “hot off the wire”, instead content to simply comment on happenings on the Reservation when all information has been gathered and pored over, I would be remiss if I didn’t pass along news that Jacobs Field is no more.

No, the structure at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario is still standing, but will heretofore be known as Progressive Field, as Peter Lewis’ enormous insurance company in Mayfield has bought the naming rights for the Indians’ home ballpark.

While, the news simply changes the name of a building of steel and stone, there will be much more on this in the coming days in terms of gut reaction and what this means to the Indians (long-term); but for now, let us allow the Jake to RIP and remember the good times.

My fiance, who works for the Indians as a member of the scoreboard/video team, was hoping he was being called in to work today for a press conference announcing the contract extension of the Hefty Lefty (by the way Paul, I love the nicknames you give all the players). He was very unhappy to wake up to the Plain Dealer story of the name change. While I wish they would have gone with "Progressive Park" I think that "The Pro" or "The Prog" will (unfortunately) eventually make it into our lexicon. I will still call it "The Jake" however.

Me in living room: "You're [freak]ing kidding."Girlfriend in bedroom: "Who are you talking to?"Me: "Uh... the computer. Hey, wanna go see the Indians down at Progressive Field?"Girl: "No."Me: "Me neither, but I guess I don't have a choice."